Gelegphu Thromde is one of the fast-growing Thromde in the country and has been seeing a construction boom in the last few years. There are currently 137 buildings under construction and 79 new construction applications approved. With several new infrastructures coming up in the Thromde, there is a growing demand for painters in Gelegphu.
Prior to the border closure, Indian workers from across the border did most of the painting work in buildings including traditional Bhutanese painting. Building owners preferred them as they charged lesser than local painters.
However, with the border sealed since the end of March, there is now a growing demand for local painters.
A local painter, Karma Tenzin, said, “There are demands for our service but we are currently painting twin buildings and there are many more are in pipeline.”
Some Bhutanese painters have also started hiring unemployed youth to carry out basic painting work in new buildings due to a shortage of manpower. Some are also being hired on a part-time basis.
A G4S security guard, Phurba was offered a part-time job because he knows Bhutanese painting. He paints during the daytime and does his security work shift at night.
“There are many jobs in Bhutan. Our youth can take up this kind of job but they don’t take an interest, ” said Phurba.
The painters are paid a daily wage ranging from Nu 450-700.
Karma Wangdi
